Christmas Sprint

Downtown Kearney every year has what they call the "Christmas Walk"  we have missed it in prior years due to scheduling conflicts.  Here is how I envisioned this "walk" going:  We would stroll leisurely up and down Central Avenue stopping to look at the reindeer- which would be HUGE, take a hay rack ride sipping hot cocoa- laughing all the way of course, stopping to visit Santa at his lovely cottage before stopping to feed the animals at the life nativity that was so beautifully set up. 
Here is how it really went.:  First of all I never leisurely stroll anywhere- so that was out.  Secondly there were so many people that I had to have a death grip on my child and shove through people to hit the key points of attraction.  The reindeer first of all were TINY.  Mike and I are still arguing if they were real reindeer.  I have decided -per wikepeidia -that I was expecting Caribou and instead I got home grown reindeer which are much smaller than their wild counterparts. 

The "live nativity" scene was really a couple animals which i am not even sure were in Bethlehem.  Santa and horse drawn carriage were so busy that the line was down the block - we laughed at the line.  The Christmas Walk was a total bust!  There were so many people there that it was not even enjoyable.  I am not sure if we will do it again next year.



All Aboard the Polar Express

I know I have been terrible this month about updating the blog.  I don't think my camera left my purse the entire month.  We have lots coming up so I should start posting more in the next couple weeks. 
Class Act here in Kearney puts on the Polar Express every year.  This was the first year we decided to check it out.  Thatcher was really too much to take out in confined spaces prior to this year!  Thatcher was super excited to go ride on a "bus" but it was hard to explain to him what we would be doing as we do not have the book Polar Express at home and have only seen the movie a couple of times. 
I thought the tickets were super cute and they encourage you to wear pajamas.

Thatcher had a great time.  You board the trolley downtown and they hand out cookies and hot chocolate and read the book on the way to the "North Pole" aka Yanney Park.  Once there Santa boards the trolley and hands out bells for all the kids.  Thatcher sat in wonderment the entire time. 

On the way back to Mona we sang Christmas carols and looked at lights.  Mike has been hounding me to put up more lights but I personally think it is a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot more crap to store in the house so I have not been too keen on going Clark Griswald on our house.  However, the trolley apparently likes to frequent our neighborhood. I told Mike he can put up more lights next year.

Four Eyes?

Last week we had something going on every night of the week and the same thing can be said for this week.  I am not sure how families with multiple kids do it.  I am constantly running from place to place like a freak trying to get everything done.  I am sure Thatcher thinks I am a crazy person because I am always screaming at him to move it because we are late.  Not going to be late- we are late!
Last week Thatcher had his first eye appointment.  When I was in for my annual eye exam they recommended kids start getting their eye's checked when they are three.  I didn't get it done until now but hey at least I got him in- which lately is a major accomplishment for me.  I have yet to do the first dentist appointment- he is not a fan of opening his mouth on command so to say I am putting that off would be an understatement.  Maybe I should just have Mike take him....
The doctor's office was busy, busy that day.  The majority of those in the waiting room were about 80 years older than Thatcher.  I had to wait to check in so Thatcher decided to just entertain all of the waiting room.  He talked to them about his John Deere tractors at home, his school, he tried to play with someones Jazzy wheelchair.  He was making sure he had contact with everyone and everything in that waiting room.

Thatcher's eyes look pretty good and the Doctor does not want to see him again until he is ready to go to Kindergarten.  I am really hoping that Thatcher will continue to have my good looks and Mike's vision!

Swimming Superman

Thatcher has started fall swimming lessons recently and once again we are doing private lessons.  We moved over to UNK because it is much closer to our home, the times are more convenient for us, and I heard really good things from a lot of different people about them.  I can't say I am really sold on the UNK swimming lesson experience.  After two lessons it seems like it is just play time.  They play Superman the entire time.  Float on your belly and/or back and kick your legs.  Thatcher is so excited the entire time.  I enjoy the fact that he has fun and likes to go but these lessons are not cheap and I want him to start making progress.  His first teacher at the Y set a high bar of standard and so I think I am just expecting him to make progress and I am not seeing that.  He has two more lessons left for the fall season and I am going to chat with his teacher about working on some more items. 

It's The Great Pumpkin

We had another busy weekend this weekend- whew!  Where does the weekend go?  Saturday morning I ran the Susan G Komen race- it was a great morning for run and a great event.  I ran the competitive race by myself.  I am still 13 seconds away from that golden time I think I need to have- I am still waiting the official results to see how I did overall.  They had a fun run a little later and I ran that race with Mandy.  It was nice to catch up with her and that race went a lot easier when you have someone to run it with!  There were so many kids running- some of them not much other than T.  I can not wait to get T out there. We may have to start soon practicing pace and running around the block. 
Sunday we went to Helgoth Pumpkin Patch in St. Libory.  We hit it early to avoid the crowds and it was nice- it was a great day to be outside.  Thatcher loved the little train, the slides, and of course the tractor ride.  He is getting to the point that he can do all of these things by himself.  I still want to follow him around and make sure he doesn't hurt himself but I am working on letting him go and trusting that he will be okay.

 

Helgoth's had some huge pumpkins this year. I think the pumpkin we picked out was 25 pounds.  Thatcher has been asking non stop if we can carve it. It is going to be a long month.  I keep telling him we have to count down the days but he doesn't seen to care he wants to carve it now!

UNK Pride

Saturday was all about our UNK pride and enjoying Homecoming.  UNK every year puts on a huge parade for homecoming and this was the first year we decided to check it out.  Thatcher has never been to a parade- I know- back to the bad parenting.  They changed the parade route this year due to construction so it ended up going right past Pioneer Park which is a block from our house.  We headed down there about 10:00 to get our seats and there were so many people there! 

It was great to see a good turnout for a local event.  NTV was also there announcing the floats so that was nice to know what each float was about and who made it.  It was a huge parade and lasted about two hours.  Thatcher enjoyed every minute of it and had a great time. 

Kearney Volunteer Fire Department had to have every single truck out for the parade- definenitly a highlight for Thatcher.

There were so many bands that came to march and play their instruments.  Some even came from as far as Ogallala. 

 

I also purchased tickets to go watch the football game later that day.  We headed down after Thatcher's nap and tailgated with some friends and look who we ran into!?  Louie the Loper! 

I think we all enjoyed the day and the experience of going to a college game.  I think we will all be going back to another game.  We definetly need to enjoy what UNK and Kearney has to offer more because we are really missing out. 

A Royal Weekend

Last weekend we went back home to see new baby Callum.  We decided it would be a good weekend to take Thatcher to the Royal Fish/Trout Farm.  I am not sure why we waited so long to take him - other than we are bad parents :)  Just kidding. It really is a short trip over there and it is free... well minus the $10 we spent in fish feed.  Thatcher had a great time and it was an awesome day to walk around and feed fish.  We will definitely have to go back soon.